ECE Program Probation and Deficiency Policy - Effective Fall 2019

Modified February 8, 2018 to clarify policy language.

Table of Contents

Academic Probation
CE Major Probation
ECE Probation Phase Program
ECE Dismissal
Academic Drop Status
Readmission
Frequently Asked Questions

Academic Probation

Effective Fall 2019, a student at Purdue University shall be placed on academic probation if their fall or spring semester or cumulative GPA at the end of any fall or spring semester is less than a 2.00. A student on academic probation shall be removed from that standing at the end of the first subsequent fall or spring semester in which they achieve semester and cumulative GPAs equal to or greater than 2.00. Any grade change due to a reporting error will result in a recalculation of the GPA and determination of probation standing. Academic standing will not be assessed in summer sessions. This process can be seen in the example image below:

 

 

ECE ACADEMIC PROGRESS INITIATIVE (API)

Effective Fall 2019, an undergraduate student in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) will be a participant in the Academic Progress Initiative (API) in one of three categories:  At-Risk, Probation, or Recovery.  Students have the option of not participating in the API; however, it is strongly advised as this program is designed for students, academic advisors, faculty and campus resources to work as a team to identify practices that are not working and develop strategies for better success.  If a student reaches a point of being eligible for dismissal from ECE or is petitioning for a fourth attempt of a course, their participation in the API is used for administrative decisions.  Any grade change due to a reporting error will result in a recalculation of the ECE GPA and redetermination of probation status. This policy is in addition to Purdue University’s academic deficiency policy outlined above; it is therefore possible for a student to be in good standing with the university but be identified to participate in the API. 

ECE ACADEMIC PROGRESS INITIATIVE LEVELS

At-Risk

Students participate in the At-Risk level of the API if their overall GPA is at or below 2.30, experience a significant GPA drop over multiple semesters, or have an overall GPA above 2.3 but their ECE GPA is 2.3 or below.  These students are required to complete an assessment, work with their academic advisor on an action plan developed specifically to their needs, and are advised to enroll in no more than 15 credits to focus on becoming more academically successful.  

At the end of the semester, the student will no longer be required to participate in the API as long as they are in Good Academic Standing by the University and their GPA levels get above the minimum requirements previously stated.

Probation

Students participate in the Probation level of the API if their current academic standing by the University is probation, which is determined if a student has either a semester or overall GPA of below 2.00.  These students are required to complete an assessment, work with their academic advisor on an action plan developed specifically to their needs, and are not allowed to enroll in more than 15 credits to focus on becoming more academically successful.  

At the end of the semester, students who are in Good Academic Standing by the University will move to the Recovery level of the API to continue strengthening their academic skills and strategies; OR are still on academic probation and will continue in the Probation level of the API.  Students are allowed to be on probation for three semesters (do not have to be in a row), at which time they will be eligible for dismissal from ECE.  

Recovery

Students participate in the Recovery level of the API for a minimum of one semester after returning to Good Academic Standing by the University.   These students are required to complete an assessment, work with their academic advisor on an action plan developed specifically to their needs, and will work with their advisor to determine the appropriate credits to enroll in for that term.  The intent of this level is for the student to continue working on the practices they deem successful and not return to academic probation.  

 

ECE Dismissal

Effective Spring 2018, ECE students who are on probation as defined by Purdue University for a fourth semester are dismissed from ECE. Students may appeal the dismissal decision by submitting a written rationale to the ECE Undergraduate Advising Office no later than 10 business days after the specified semester grades are posted on the student’s transcript.  

Academic Drop Status

Students on academic probation as defined by Purdue University who do not make sufficient academic progress may be dropped from the University regardless of their standing within ECE. Effective Fall 2015, a student on academic probation as defined by Purdue University shall be dropped from the University at the close of any fall or spring semester in which his/her semester and cumulative GPA is less than a 2.00. Re-admit students have the additional requirement of achieving a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 or higher at the conclusion of their first semester on re-admit status in order to avoid being academically dropped.

Students on drop status cannot take classes from any Purdue campus for a minimum of one semester (summer sessions do not count) but may take classes at another institution. While students often feel that being placed on DROP status is a punishment, it is really an opportunity for the student to step back from their studies and identify the root cause(s) of their academic difficulties. It is important that the student take personal responsibility for their academic situation and make every effort to form an objective evaluation of it. It may be necessary to seek professional counseling in order to accomplish this. Once the root cause(s) of the problem has been identified, the student can take appropriate corrective action. This may include taking courses to strengthen specific academic weaknesses or taking a full-time job to learn responsibility and develop an appreciation for the educational opportunity that they may be losing. Or, perhaps the academic problems are the result of personal/family issues that need to be addressed before the student continues with his/her education.

If a student does elect to take courses at another institution while on DROP status, there should not be the expectation that all these courses will apply towards Purdue degree requirements. Courses should be chosen primarily to strengthen academic weaknesses, not to continue progress towards a degree. Therefore, in most instances, transfer credit for technical courses taken at another institution while on DROP status will not be accepted.

Every student's situation is unique and it will take a determined effort by the student to identify and overcome their particular obstacle to success. However, if the student makes this effort and readmission is granted, there is every reason to believe that they can return and successfully complete her/his degree.

Readmission

Students who are dropped for the first time cannot take classes from any Purdue campus for a minimum of one semester (summer sessions do not count) and though readmission is not guaranteed, are eligible to apply for readmission to any Purdue campus after that stop-out period. If a student is dropped from the University a second time, they cannot take classes from any Purdue campus for a minimum of 1 year. Students who are readmitted are on probation and subject to all academic probation stipulations. For more detailed information about readmission, visit Purdue's website on How to Apply for Readmission.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Purdue University says I’m in good academic standing; am I still a participant in the Academic Progress Initiative?

Yes, as an At-Risk or Recovery participant.

• How does being on probation affect me?

Being on probation means that you are at risk of being dropped from the University and/or being dismissed from ECE if you do not improve your grades and make sufficient academic progress. It also means that you are limited to taking a maximum of 15 credit hours during your probation semester and that you may be ineligible to CODO to another program should that be something you are interested in. Many programs require CODO students to at least be in good academic standing as defined by Purdue University. Additionally, students on academic probation are not eligible to enroll in ECE 47000 and consequentially may be ineligible to participate in an internship.

• If I take classes during the summer and perform well can I get off of probation?

No, regardless of whether a student performs well or performs poorly, academic standing is not recalculated during the summer session.

• Does my participation in the API show on my transcript like academic probation?

No, only academic probation standing by the University appears on your transcript.  

• Will I be dropped from the university if I am on academic probation for two (or more) consecutive semesters?

Not necessarily, as in order to be dropped from the University a student's cumulative and semester GPA must both be below 2.00. It is possible to remain on academic probation for more than one semester. However, at the end of the third semester on academic probation, ECE students still on probation as defined by Purdue University will be dismissed from ECE, regardless of their academic standing with Purdue University. Additionally, students who complete the Phase III semester in good academic standing but who later earn academic probation or ECE major probation will similarly be dismissed from ECE.